Canadian Jews Reconsider ‘Zionist’ Label Post-Hamas Attacks

A recent study reveals that many Canadian Jews are increasingly reluctant to identify as ‘Zionists,’ despite their support for a Jewish state. This shift is largely attributed to the negative connotations surrounding the term, especially following the terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023, carried out by Hamas.

According to the study authored by Robert Brym, a professor of sociology at the University of Toronto, the term ‘Zionist’ has transformed into a pejorative in public discourse. “It’s become a pejorative word in the mass media and on the street, in workplaces, universities, and public schools,” Brym told the *National Post*.

Brym’s findings indicate that while the majority of Canadian Jews support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, they often choose to distance themselves from the label of Zionism. In the study’s conclusion, Brym noted that “88 percent agree that Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state,” despite not identifying as Zionists.

This reluctance is symptomatic of a broader concern among Canadian Jews about the rising antisemitism and the negative perception of Zionism. Brym stated, “Many, if not most, are scared about what might transpire,” referencing incidents of violence against Jews in other countries, such as the events in Manchester and Sydney earlier this year.

The study, published in the latest issue of the academic journal *Canadian Jewish Studies*, followed a previous survey commissioned by three Jewish organizations in 2024. It found that 49 percent of Canadian Jews did not identify as Zionists, while 94 percent supported a Jewish state in Israel. This discrepancy prompted Brym to investigate the reasons behind the shifting perception of Zionism.

One key factor identified is the phenomenon of “semantic drift,” where the meaning of a word evolves over time. Since the attacks on October 7, anti-Zionist sentiments have gained traction, with slogans like “Zionism is racism” appearing at various protests. Brym posits that many Canadian Jews are moving away from the term due to the negative associations attached to it, feeling uncertain about their views on Israel, or responding to the shifting language around Zionism.

In recent months, tensions have escalated within Jewish communities in Canada. Protests against Israel have occurred in Jewish neighborhoods, leading to arrests and incidents of vandalism, such as mezuzahs being removed from doorways. Brym noted that these events have heightened fears among community members, which may influence their willingness to publicly identify as Zionists.

Public discourse around Zionism has been characterized by increasing hostility, according to Aviva Klompas, a writer and pro-Israel advocate. She noted that the term has been “deliberately distorted and weaponized,” resulting in social, professional, and even physical risks for those who identify as Zionists. “In that environment, it’s not surprising that people distance themselves from the label,” Klompas stated, emphasizing that the findings reveal a complex relationship between identity and support for Israel.

Brym highlighted that in a prior study conducted in 2018, 84 percent of Jews in Canada viewed their support of Israel as essential to their Jewish identity. Klompas remarked that Jews are facing a loyalty test that requires them to disavow a core aspect of their identity in order to be accepted in public spaces.

The research underscores a critical need for understanding the evolving dynamics within the Jewish community in Canada. Brym emphasized that there is “almost unanimity in the Jewish community behind support for Israel as a Jewish state,” despite the reluctance to embrace the term ‘Zionist.’

As the conversation around Jewish identity and support for Israel continues to evolve, these findings reveal deeper complexities surrounding communal fears, identity, and the implications of language in shaping public perception.